Features / New Cut
Transforming the New Cut for a greener Bristol
In the early months of each year, when the vegetation has died back and before birds and other wildlife start to nest and breed, members of the Friends of the Avon New Cut (FrANC) undertake several systematic litter picks and maintenance of the New Cut riverbanks.
Volunteers precariously undertake clearing on the banks by the Langton Street Bridge that is currently undergoing maintenance – photo: Hannah Massoudi
The group which has been running since 2006, has between 20 and 30 FrANC members taking part in each monthly two hour session, the teams usually split off and take different sides of the river before a lot of rubbish and other debris is collected.
Meeting up near the Gaol Bridge, on this occasion they are headed towards the banks on either side of Langton Street Bridge – a place particularly prone to littering and flytipping.
is needed now More than ever
The main challenge is “knowing where to focus, because you just keep going. It’s quite depressing really. Finding where we can make a difference, making sure its safe, because it can be really treacherous,” says FrANC chair Andrew Jenkins.
The design of the can suggests that it has been around for a decade or more – photo: Hannah Massoudi
Bristol City Council support the work the group does, providing some of the litter picking equipment, the waste bags, as well as removing the small mountain of full rubbish bags and collected debris the following day.
They’re incredibly grateful to the council for their support, however, as we wander down the riverside, it becomes evident that much of the rubbish collected last time they were here, still remains.
One volunteers says that it took longer than usual for the council to pick up some of the bags, which may have contributed to them finding their way into the verges.
The group suspect that much of the household waste comes from the homes opposite, with one particular house they believe constantly dumps their waste. They tell me that it is based off of many torn up letters they have found with one particular person’s name on.
As infuriating as this may be, they continue to work tirelessly to get on top of clearing the rubbish as the person goes unaccountable.
The remains of someones clothes in a torn black bag left to rot – photo: Hannah Massoudi
Lizzi Testani, works for the Bristol Climate and Nature Partnership and is the vice chair of FrANC, she says: “You can do so much more than you can when you’re on your own.
“The reason why I do this is because the goals are so tangible. You can see the change.”
A Redshank was spotted at the beginning of this year – photo: FrANC
She tells me that the main issue here is how easily the waste and litter spreads.
Once in the waterways it flows to other places, damages the ecological balance in the water, before slowly become an increasingly inadequate habitat for wildlife.
“The Avon New Cut is a vital corridor for wildlife going through the middle of the city. It’s the last line of defence,” she says.
Hence why them being there, attempting to keep on top of the rubbish is so important.
Lizzi says she there are fig and mulberry trees that populate the banks. She has also seen Slow Worms there, with the group having also sighted birds like the Redshank, Cormorants and a Sandpiper. The river’s edge is more diverse than one might expect.
Earlier this year, the council cut back a distressing amount of vegetation to enable the repair work of the Langton Street Bridge.
The Transport Engagement team at the council sent the group an update about the repairs and road closures around the bridge to say that planting trees is included in their long-term plans for the stabilised banks.
Vice chair Lizzi Testani getting stuck in among the bramble – photo: Hannah Massoudi
There is a lot of attention on our waterways at the moment – policy and infrastructure does need to change to reduce pollution and people can also take action and practically make a difference by taking part in groups like FrANC.
They’re also aiming to get more young people involved and caring for Bristol’s streets and green spaces.
Many of the current members have been attending for years, and either spearheaded or are original members of several well-known nature focused groups in Bristol.
The group is also appealing to local businesses in the hopes of receiving sponsorship to get tools maintained.
Their next litter pick is Saturday, January 11 – sign up to their newsletter for more information.
Main photo: Hannah Massoudi
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